Mumbai rains: State agencies ensure city remains unaffected

An autorickshaw negotiates through a waterlogged stretch in Milan subway Santacruz this morningPics Satej ShindeIt took the deluge of August 29 for Mumbaikars to comprehend the perils of venturing out during heavy rain Barely 20 days after torrential rainfall wreaked havoc in the city killing 5 when Mumbai witnessed another manic downpour people decided to stay put in their homes in order to avoid another calamity With most schools government and private offices declaring a holiday today the city saw fewer traffic snarls this morning with waterlogging being reported in some lowlying areasThe SpiceJet flight that overshot the runway last night Pics Nimesh DaveMumbai city and the suburbs have been witnessing torrential rain since yesterday afternoon While Colaba received 1911 mm rainfall Santacruz recorded 2757 mm rain yesterday According to the meteorological department the city is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas throughout the day but the intensity of the rain will be lesser than yesterdayTravel takes a hitWhile prompt action put the city at ease flight services were diverted after a Spicejet flight carrying 183 passengers from Varanasi overshot the runway around 10 pm last night All passengers were rescued safely However the runway has been shut due to the incident causing several cancellationsCommuters were stranded after water logging at Sion railway station and Hindmata in Dadar Pics Satej ShindeMumbai International Airport Private Limited MIAL official said that the runway would be shut till 2 pm We are experiencing heavy rainfall and bad tail winds at CSIA The flights are taking off and landing from the secondary runway as the main runway has been closed for operations There are delays in arrival and departure flights because of the fluctuating weather an official statement from MIAL saidTill early this morning 56 flights were diverted to Hyderabad Bengaluru Goa and Vadodara A few flights were also cancelled with several passengers reportedly stranded at the airportSeveral motorists parked their cars on Milan Subway bridge Santacruz last night to avoid the water logged road aheadMeanwhile traffic on citys roads continued to move at a snails pace Though it had stopped raining briefly this the morning the central suburbs and Western Urban Road saw slow moving traffic due to water logging in the lowlying areas of Parel Hindmata Kings Circle Khar Railway colony on SV Road and Malad Subway Until late morning traffic was moving slowly on Santacruz Chembur Link Road Sion Hospital Bridge and Kherwadi The traffic police and local police are taking necessary steps to ease traffic said a Mumbai Police officialAt the time of going to press part of a bridge near Krushi Udyog Bhavan in Aarey Milk Colony had collapsed Traffic was diverted for heavy and light motor vehiclesSeveral motorists parked their cars on Milan Subway bridge Santacruz last night to avoid the water logged road aheadTrain services continued on the Western Central and Harbour lines despite delays due to water logging Western Railway had also taken a host of measures to ensure hasslefree travel All catering stalls have been instructed to keep sufficient food and remain open 247 We are also making regular announcements regarding express and suburban trains Commercial inspectors have been deployed at all important stations for traffic management a WR official saidSchools offices declare holidayFollowing last nights heavy rain the state government declared a holiday for all schools and collegesPrashant Redij spokesperson for Maharashtra School Principals Association said A day off will not affect studies and we can take extra classes to complete the syllabus Students safety is priorityLow lying areas of Parel and Hindmata affectedFather Francis Swamy principal of St Marys School said The holidays can be adjusted with the Diwali vacationsDr Dinesh Panjwani principal of National College said We had one internal examination scheduled for today which had to be postponedSeveral private and government offices also declared a holiday this morningAjit Rawal 25 assistant manager with Omkar Realtors amp Developers said We were asked to work from home